decreases by half

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "decreases by half" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a reduction in quantity, size, or value by 50%. Example: "The company's profits decreased by half compared to last year."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

The researchers found that after six minutes of using the machine, the amount of effort a person thinks they are making decreases by half.

Independent

The charge transfer resistance Rct) decreases by half when the LDH interlayer distance increases to about 400 p.m., and the activation energy for charge transfer ΔEa) also decreases with increasing LDH interlayer distance.

Electrochimica Acta

With the temperature rising from 5 °C to 40 °C, the amount of ettringite formed after 1 d decreases by half, but alumina gel increases by more than 4 times, accompanying with a more inhomogeneous microstructure and higher porosity.

Construction and Building Materials

The optimal pH range is 3.6 4.2, where the peak intensity is the highest, but the intensity decreases by half as the pH increases to 4.37 (Fig. 2).

Geochemical Transactions

For patients who have not resumed work by 12 weeks, the likelihood of doing so decreases by half [ 7].

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

Accelerated UV exposure causes a marked decrease of the Tyr value, which almost decreases by half after 10 days of exposure.

Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Attenuation of zero decibels means that the signal is passed without loss; three decibels means that the power of the signal decreases by one-half.

Britannica

Decreased PENK increases anti-PCD-gene transcription [ 51] and PENK protein was decreased by half, and its nuclear distribution decreased by 70%, suggest decreased PCD possibly mediated by Meq (see below).

BMC Systems Biology

Time to market decreased by half.

MIT Technology Review

Circulating triglyceride levels were also decreased by half.

Nature

The report also found freshwater availability in the Americas has decreased by half since the 1950s.

Yale University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "decreases by half", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being reduced and the timeframe over which the reduction occurs for clarity.

Common error

Avoid assuming the audience knows the original value before the decrease. Always provide the initial value or a reference point to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "decreases by half" functions as a verb phrase that modifies a noun by specifying a reduction in its quantity by 50%. Ludwig confirms its acceptability in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

75%

News & Media

25%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "decreases by half" is a grammatically sound way to express a 50% reduction, as confirmed by Ludwig. While relatively infrequent, its use is appropriate in both scientific and news contexts. Key to its effective use is ensuring clarity regarding the original value before the decrease. Alternative phrases like "is halved" or "is reduced by 50 percent" can be used for variety. When choosing alternatives, consider the desired level of formality and the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is halved

Simple synonym using passive voice.

is reduced by 50 percent

Replaces 'half' with its numerical equivalent and 'decreases' with 'is reduced'.

falls by 50%

Uses 'falls' as a synonym for 'decreases' and expresses the reduction as a percentage.

is diminished by half

Uses 'diminished' which is more formal than decreases.

drops to half its original value

Specifies that the final value is half of the initial value.

is cut in half

Uses 'cut' to suggest a more abrupt reduction.

undergoes a 50% reduction

Nominalizes the phrase, focusing on the reduction itself.

experiences a halving

More formal and technical; 'halving' is used as a noun.

is lessened by half

Substitutes "decreases" for "is lessened", adding a subtle difference in tone.

its magnitude halves

Focuses on the magnitude and uses 'halves' as a verb.

FAQs

How can I use "decreases by half" in a sentence?

You can use "decreases by half" to describe a reduction in quantity, size, or value by 50%. For example, "After the intervention, the error rate "decreases by half"".

What is a simple alternative to "decreases by half"?

A simple alternative is "is halved". For example, "The original price is halved during the sale".

Is it more accurate to say "decreases by half" or "decreases by 50 percent"?

Both "decreases by half" and "decreases by 50 percent" are accurate. "Decreases by half" is often more concise, while "decreases by 50 percent" provides explicit numerical precision.

What's the difference between ""decreases by half"" and "is reduced by half"?

Both phrases convey the same meaning, but ""decreases by half"" implies an active process, whereas "is reduced by half" suggests a passive state. The choice depends on the desired emphasis.